HF tools that suck

[OcalaPat]

Getting here late, but working as a heavy equipment mech for many years I found it better to take a box full of HF tools out on a road call, or to the dump to work on a loader mired in 3 feet of nasty say what. If I lost one Snap-On 9/16 open end and I'm out $$$. If I drop a HF wrench, hardly worth bending over to pick it up:laughing:

HF tools have their place in my box.

 

[California]

The other thread has turned out to be a useful, intelligent discussion of pros and cons of various HF options based on real-world first-hand experience from good and objective members of TBN.

This thread only gets the occasional bump from some wisecrack and then is followed by the inevitable rant that includes neither first-hand nor real-world experience.

IPF: Well said!

already know the results.

this logic escapes me ...

"Don't bother me telling me your experience, I know the answer in my head already. I'll never listen to your experience".

Not so much.

 

[Rhon]

Don't know if you'd consider them hand tools but their shoptowels are nice

 

[Iplayfarmer]

IPF: Well said!




"Don't bother me telling me your experience, I know the answer in my head already. I'll never listen to your experience".

Not so much.

Thanks for your support. And, I'm glad that it's much more clear now what "conjecture" means.

 

[5030]

HF does have some good tools, like the torque wrench's that I metioned (but was ignored) previously.

Their 13x40 Geared Head engine Lathe is also a good buy. It's a rebadged Dashin Prince and I have one, have had it for at least 10 years and it's been trouble free, very accurate and dependable. HF's price is what I paid 10 years ago and factoring in inflation and a worthless dollar, it's a fantastic buy plus it's available in 220/1 unlike my 220/3 model.

Their 6x42 x 6 belt/disc sander is also a good buy. It's the same unit that Grizzly sells but costs 2/3rds the price and there is no shipping.

It's relatively easy to pick out the good stuff from the junk, especially at the store.

 

[crazyal]

The simple fact is I can't remember the last HF anything that I've bought that sucked. I'm selective in what I buy but I'm also expanding to include things I never would have in the past (like anything with an electric motor).

People will need to learn that even that the Chinese are becoming better at manufacturing and even the cheap stuff is much better than it was a few years ago. A few years from now it will just be that much better.

But this thread shouldn't be about our personal opinion of HF but one of actual things bought from HF that turned out to be dogs.

 

[Dargo]

I post on the other thread because it's a lot easier to talk about the "one" find rather than the 9 complete pieces of junk you wasted money on to find that one deal. I find I go a LOT less often. It seems the odds are getting REALLY stacked AGAINST finding an HF tool that doesn't suck.

 

[PapaPerk]

loader mired in 3 feet of nasty say what.

ROFL!!!! :laughing:

 

[xtn]

Oh cry me a river. Read the title of this post! "HF tools that suck". The title supports my comment. HF is notorious for selling tools that are "throw away".... typical for many Americans in this day and age.

Buy good quality tools and equipment. Keep them the rest of your life. They are an investment... not disposable like a paper cup or plastic fork!

What I think is hilarious is the cheap folks that buy the junk and then get on here and whine about it! What do you expect?!

I don't think it is hilarious. I'm thankful to benefit from the experience of others. This thread and its sister thread provide me the ability to make more informed decisions where I may have had to learn the hard way otherwise.

To those of you who might have felt belittled by PapaPerk's post, please know that some of us thank you for posting your tool experiences both good and bad. Over time you will have saved me money and/or frustration, and that's a great gift.

 

[BlacknTan]

I don't think it is hilarious. I'm thankful to benefit from the experience of others. This thread and its sister thread provide me the ability to make more informed decisions where I may have had to learn the hard way otherwise.

To those of you who might have felt belittled by PapaPerk's post, please know that some of us thank you for posting your tool experiences both good and bad. Over time you will have saved me money and/or frustration, and that's a great gift.

Quite honestly, if you want to save money and frustration, don't buy HF junk in the first place!

Buy a quality tool .. Quality doesn't cost .. It pays! Like the old saying goes .. "Ya can pay me now, or 'ya can pay me later..."

 

[sxs191]

It would be quicker to list HF tools that DON'T suck.

 

[psj12]

i believe there is a very looong thread titled that.

 

[RPW]

This is still an interesting thread. For those that believe Snap-on is wholely made in the USA this quote is from a website that publishes where tools are made.
"Snap-on Tools Group manufactures tools for motor vehicle service and repair at 4 facilities in the U.S. (Elkmont, AL; Algona, IA; Elizabethton, TN; and Milwaukee, WI). Known for their franchised dealer vans, Snap-on tools are now also available online. Many, but not all, tools imprinted with the Snap-on name are made in US, other tool brands (including Blue Point) are imported. County of origin is provided for each product on the Snap-On website, so check before you purchase."

Also heard on the news this morning that Ford is partnering with Toyota on production of vehicles.

Quite honestly IMO nothing is wholey made in the USA anymore at least not in the last 10 years. Either the product itself or the materials comprising the product some of which will be made elsewhere.

 

[rtimgray]

I think there are plenty of good items at Harbor Freight - perfect for the occasional user if not the professional user.

Two examples, personally, are the roofing nailer and the rotary hammer. The roofing nailer was under $100, plus using a coupon, and it has worked perfectly when I added on to the house. I used it some more with a friend and then also used it to attached some OSB mending plates when I home-built some trusses - worked great. I will be using it in the next few weeks when I do a tear-off/replacement of my existing roof.

My dad bought a rotary hammer drill (cheap version of a Hilti) and a set of bits for about $80. Have used it for drilling into poured basement walls to epoxy set dowel rods and used the chipping tool for demolition after cutting up a concrete floor so that we could add some plumbing.

Both of these tools cost 1/2 to 1/3 or the name brand equivalent and have performed exceptionally well (no problems at all). Now, if I were a professional roofer or contractor that needed these tools, I would probably go name-brand. However, that is not my situation, so I saved the money and have the HF tools that let me get the jobs I need doing done - and still save money.

I would not argue for a minute that a dewalt/hitachi/porter cable nailer is not superior to the HF - but I can by 2 or 3 of the HF for the cost of one of the name brand - and so far, I've only needed one.

 

[Dargo]

I think there are plenty of good items at Harbor Freight - perfect for the occasional user if not the professional user.

Two examples, personally, are the roofing nailer and the rotary hammer. The roofing nailer was under $100, plus using a coupon, and it has worked perfectly when I added on to the house. I used it some more with a friend and then also used it to attached some OSB mending plates when I home-built some trusses - worked great. I will be using it in the next few weeks when I do a tear-off/replacement of my existing roof.

My dad bought a rotary hammer drill (cheap version of a Hilti) and a set of bits for about $80. Have used it for drilling into poured basement walls to epoxy set dowel rods and used the chipping tool for demolition after cutting up a concrete floor so that we could add some plumbing.

Both of these tools cost 1/2 to 1/3 or the name brand equivalent and have performed exceptionally well (no problems at all). Now, if I were a professional roofer or contractor that needed these tools, I would probably go name-brand. However, that is not my situation, so I saved the money and have the HF tools that let me get the jobs I need doing done - and still save money.

I would not argue for a minute that a dewalt/hitachi/porter cable nailer is not superior to the HF - but I can by 2 or 3 of the HF for the cost of one of the name brand - and so far, I've only needed one.

Ha! I'm absolutely positive that, after years of being a sucker, I've saved tons of money by buying name brand power tools rather than the garbage they pawn off on the unsuspecting at Horrible Freight. Disposable hand tools and other such items, it's a toss up whether it's worth it for one use or if it will break on the first use. However, when it comes to power tools, no way in h...e...double toothpick that you save any money buying the cheapest garbage China can churn out.

China can actually do a great job and produce world quality components and equipment when they have to build to specifications. When the only specification is that "lowest price sells" (100% of what Horrible Freight lives on), you only get junk! I've been there, done that, got the hole in my wallet and lost time and gas making numerous returns. Buy a power tool from Horrible Freight? Not in my lifetime!! I value my time, money, and gas too much to make return trips for every item bought. They give a 'lifetime' warranty on a lot of stuff knowing full well that most will just throw it away and go buy the real tool.

 

[crazyal]

I have a 10" HF tile cutter I bought when building my house. I paid about $200 for it. At the time it felt a little risky but it was $40 a day to rent one and to buy a name brand was over $800. The motor connects to the saw with a belt so I figured I could always replace the motor if it died.

Well that saw has ran great. I was able to tile all three bathrooms, the entry way, the kitchen and pantry. I have lent it to a half dozen co-workers and it still works great. These are the things I want to know about. Just like Dargo and his bad luck with things like their hand held band saws and other stuff.

It's just nice to know more information before you buy. If you don't want to shop at HF that's fine. I would never force you to. But for those of us who are not going to spend Snap-on kind of money for a tool that will be used a couple of times a year at most it's either HF, pay someone to do it, or rent if possible. I don't like paying others to do what I can and try to avoid renting tools.

 

[PapaPerk]

Quite honestly, if you want to save money and frustration, don't buy HF junk in the first place!

Buy a quality tool .. Quality doesn't cost .. It pays! Like the old saying goes .. "Ya can pay me now, or 'ya can pay me later..."

Amen brother!!!! Finally someone that agrees with me. LOL!!!

 

[PapaPerk]

This is still an interesting thread. For those that believe Snap-on is wholely made in the USA this quote is from a website that publishes where tools are made.
"Snap-on Tools Group manufactures tools for motor vehicle service and repair at 4 facilities in the U.S. (Elkmont, AL; Algona, IA; Elizabethton, TN; and Milwaukee, WI). Known for their franchised dealer vans, Snap-on tools are now also available online. Many, but not all, tools imprinted with the Snap-on name are made in US, other tool brands (including Blue Point) are imported. County of origin is provided for each product on the Snap-On website, so check before you purchase."

Also heard on the news this morning that Ford is partnering with Toyota on production of vehicles.

Quite honestly IMO nothing is wholey made in the USA anymore at least not in the last 10 years. Either the product itself or the materials comprising the product some of which will be made elsewhere.

Holy broken record Batman!

We aren't talking about Toyota, Ford, Snap-On, Deere, Kubota, Boeing, Craftsman, Bosch, Dewalt, etc, etc! We are talking about HF's bargain basement el cheapo, poor quality tools here!

 

[PapaPerk]

Ha! I'm absolutely positive that, after years of being a sucker, I've saved tons of money by buying name brand power tools rather than the garbage they pawn off on the unsuspecting at Horrible Freight. Disposable hand tools and other such items, it's a toss up whether it's worth it for one use or if it will break on the first use. However, when it comes to power tools, no way in h...e...double toothpick that you save any money buying the cheapest garbage China can churn out.

China can actually do a great job and produce world quality components and equipment when they have to build to specifications. When the only specification is that "lowest price sells" (100% of what Horrible Freight lives on), you only get junk! I've been there, done that, got the hole in my wallet and lost time and gas making numerous returns. Buy a power tool from Horrible Freight? Not in my lifetime!! I value my time, money, and gas too much to make return trips for every item bought. They give a 'lifetime' warranty on a lot of stuff knowing full well that most will just throw it away and go buy the real tool.

Here here!

 

[CompactTractorFan]

They give a 'lifetime' warranty on a lot of stuff knowing full well that most will just throw it away and go buy the real tool.

Yeah, they never seem too happy when I go in and return my HF lifetime warranty hand tools...:laughing: